AFD: Abilene Candy Co. fire 'suspicious'

The Abilene Candy Company, a historic building built in 1919, burned down early Saturday morning.

video by Ronald W. Erdrich

Investigators from the Abilene Fire Department ruled the fire that destroyed the Abilene Candy Company early Saturday, “suspicious.” The two-alarm blaze at 3:30 a.m. Saturday completely destroyed the building at 741 N. 3rd St. The fire was so hot and so powerful, firefighters had to let it burn itself out. The candy factory built in 1919 and listed on the Abilene Register of Historic Places, was a total loss.

Video by Ronald W. Erdrich
edited by Victor Cristales

Investigators from the Abilene Fire Department ruled as “suspicious” the fire that destroyed the Abilene Candy Co. early Saturday.

The two-alarm blaze at 3:30 a.m. Saturday destroyed the candy company, which had been in business the past 90 years at 741 N. 3rd St. The fire was so hot and so powerful, firefighters had to let it burn itself out. The candy factory, built in 1919 and listed on the Abilene Register of Historic Places, was a total loss.

“Abilene Fire Department investigators have determined there is sufficient evidence that has led us to believe that this fire was not accidental,” Lt. John Brunett, the lead investigator for the Abilene Fire Department, said during a news conference Thursday. “We are currently following several leads and working in partnership with Abilene police detectives to solve this case.”

Brunett said investigators have developed evidence from the scene, but he would not comment on the cause of the fire or where the fire originated in the building.

The morning of the fire, former and current employees gathered around the building and speculated that arson could be the cause of the fire.

So far, no suspects have been identified, but if anyone is prosecuted in the case the charge will be arson, Brunett said.

Company officials are still working with insurance adjusters to determine the amount of the loss. The appraised market value of the building is $69,838, according to the Taylor County Appraisal District. That value does not include the contents or inventory.

“It is a total loss on the business,” said Lt. Jeff Renfro, an investigator with the fire department.

The company has been producing candy at the historic location since 1919 and was still manufacturing 3 million lollipops a month at the time of the fire.

“We are devastated by the loss of this historic building,” said Charles Ferguson, operations manager for the Abilene Candy Co. “We are thankful and very touched by the support of the community.”

Ferguson said news that the fire was deemed suspicious, “came as a surprise.”

In an emotional statement, Ferguson said he and officials at Lollypops and Candies, Inc. in Houston, which owns Abilene Candy Co., “were touched by the heartwarming stories,” they have heard from members of the community. “We are blown away by all of the support,” Ferguson said.

Ferguson said the disaster occurred at the company’s busiest time of the year, when it processes candies and pecans. He said he would like to fill the orders that are already in, because the customers are like family.

Company owners said 15 employees worked at the factory and fortunately no one was injured.

“We thank God that fire occurred outside of normal business hours and no one was injured,” said owner Lamar Mathews. The building was insured.

The company will continue to pay the employees, despite the devastating blow to the business.

“In addition, all employees will be paid for their full vacations and we will continue making ever effort to help our employees in any other way that we can,” Mathews said.

Mathews said she and other owners are exploring the options available because they are anxious to restore business operations, but she is unsure whether the factory will be rebuilt.

“It is so sad to have to think of a new facility for our candy company when it had survived over 90 years in the same location,” Mathews said. “It is too early to say what we will do about a facility, but we plan to do all that we can to restore business operations as soon as possible.”

The company also is exploring options available in Abilene.

“We would like nothing more than to continue on in Abilene as is our tradition,” she said.